Cambodia Refutes Thailand’s Claims on Prey Chan Protest, Calls for Peaceful Resolution Through JBC
Cambodia Refutes Thailand’s Claims on Prey Chan Protest, Calls for Peaceful Resolution Through JBC
Phnom Penh, 23 September 2025 — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia has firmly rejected assertions made by Thailand that Cambodian villagers from Prey Chan encroached upon Thai territory to stage a protest.
In a press conference earlier today, a spokesperson of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that Cambodia’s Prey Chan villagers had crossed into Thai territory, prompting Thai authorities to enforce their domestic laws. Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation described the statement as “misleading,” and issued a detailed response.
The Cambodian side stressed that Thailand cannot apply its laws or claim sovereignty over communities in areas that remain undemarcated. The Ministry recalled that under the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on boundary survey and demarcation, both sides agreed to maintain the status quo until demarcation is complete. Cambodian communities have long inhabited the lands of Prey Chan Village, O’ Bei Choan Commune, Banteay Meanchey Province — well before the signing of the MOU.
The statement further noted that the villagers’ protests were a just reaction to violations against their property and livelihoods, as barbed wire and barricades have blocked access to homes and farms. Cambodia clarified that while both sides’ technical teams had agreed on the location of Border Pillar 43, the location of Border Pillar 42 remains unresolved. Therefore, the Thai infographic showing a border line from Pillar 43 to Pillar 42 to justify the crackdown on protesters is “misleading.”
Cambodia also underscored that, even by Thailand’s misrepresented line, Thai nationals have long occupied and farmed on hectares of land clearly situated on the Cambodian side of the border. In this regard, the Cambodian Government reiterated its call for Thailand to address the issue through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), rather than attempting to impose its laws and sovereignty by force, including through the eviction of Cambodian villagers.
The Ministry recalled that Cambodia has submitted several formal protests under the MOU 2000 concerning Thai violations of Cambodian territory, but without response. It stressed the urgency of resuming and expediting the JBC’s work in a conducive environment.
Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to peace, Cambodia pointed to the ceasefire terms recorded in the General Border Committee meetings on 7 August and 10 September, as well as the Regional Border Committee meetings in August 2025. The Kingdom urged Thailand to act in good faith by halting plans to evict hundreds of Cambodian households, and allowing displaced villagers to return while awaiting final demarcation.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia remains committed to resolving all boundary disputes with Thailand, as with all neighbors, by peaceful means and in accordance with international law. Borders must not be changed by force,” the statement concluded.
